First Half of 2018 Shows Decrease in Fatal Car Crashes from 2017 & Update for the Communities of Greene County Regarding Hepatitis A

The Greene County Safe Communities Coalition reports that as of June 29th, 2018, there has only been one fatal crash in Greene County, which occurred in the first quarter, January-March, compared to ten fatalities for this same time period in 2017. As a result of the 1,688 crashes reported by the Ohio Department of Public Safety for January through June 2018, 406 of those involved injuries to the occupants.

The top four leading causes of the crashes were: following too closely, failure to control, failure to yield, and improper lane change. The occupant in the fatal crash listed above was not wearing a seat belt.

Please remember to the importance of avoiding all distractions while driving, driving sober, and having everyone in the vehicle wearing a seat belt. The Safe Communities Coalition continues to work with the community to provide educational materials and information to keep Greene County citizens safe on the roadways.The Safe Communities Coalition was developed to help communities decrease traffic injuries and deaths through education which is one preventive measure that you can take every day to avoid an economically and personally costly crash.

The next meeting of the Greene County Safe Communities Coalition is Wednesday, August 15 at 9:00am, at Greene County Public Health, 360 Wilson Drive in Xenia. The public is welcome and invited to attend. For more information, contact Jillian Drew at 937-374-5683 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Update for the Communities of Greene County regarding Hepatitis A

Between January 2017 and June 2018, there has been an increase in Hepatitis A cases in Montgomery County. Since we are friendly neighbors with Montgomery County, we want to share what Greene County is doing to keep you safe, educated, and informed.

Hepatitis A is a viral illness that affects the liver and causes fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain and jaundice. Symptoms usually appear within 2-6 weeks after being exposed. The virus leaves the body through stool (poop) and is transmitted primarily person-to-person through the fecal-oral route It is not spread by kissing, sneezing or saliva.

So far in 2018, there have been only two cases of Hepatitis A in Greene County. In 2017 there were 2 cases and in 2016 there were five cases.

While anyone can get Hepatitis A, investigations have shown the homeless, drug users and men who have sex with men, and those who have contact with them are most at risk.

What YOU can do to prevent Hepatitis A: 1. Thorough hand washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after using the restroom and before preparing and eating food.2. There is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis A. Individuals may contact their doctor to discuss the Hepatitis A vaccine.

Public Health is providing educational materials and outreach for those at high risk. We will continue to monitor cases of Hepatitis A in the community to determine if there are any direct links between the cases and will provide interventions to break the chain of infection as deemed appropriate. We are asking our community partners to help us by encouraging the vaccine and providing education on hepatitis A to at-risk clients.

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